CS0-003 Vulnerability Management Practice Question
This CS0-003 practice question tests your understanding of vulnerability management. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: credentialed scans require valid authentication to target systems.. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A credentialed Linux scan fails on several hosts after SSH hardening. What is the BEST next step? For control selection, Which control best addresses the stated weakness without hiding risk?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
After SSH hardening, the credentialed scan fails because the scanner's authentication methods (e.g., password, public key) or sudo commands may be restricted. Option B is correct because reviewing scanner account permissions, allowed authentication methods, and sudo command restrictions directly addresses the root cause—ensuring the scanner can authenticate and execute privileged commands without bypassing security controls.
Key principle: Credentialed scans require valid authentication to target systems.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Credentialed scans depend on authentication and sufficient read access to inspect packages and configuration.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Credentialed scans require valid authentication to target systems.
✗
Run only unauthenticated scans forever
Why it's wrong here
This reduces accuracy.
✗
Disable SSH on all servers
Why it's wrong here
That prevents scanning and administration.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Cisco often tests the misconception that after hardening, you should revert to unauthenticated scans or ignore the issue, rather than systematically adjusting scanner credentials and permissions to maintain authenticated scanning without weakening security.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSH hardening often disables password authentication or restricts sudo commands via /etc/sudoers, which can break scanner authentication if it relies on password-based login or specific sudo privileges. The scanner typically uses SSH key-based authentication or a dedicated service account; reviewing /etc/ssh/sshd_config for 'PasswordAuthentication no' or 'PubkeyAuthentication yes' and checking sudoers entries for 'NOPASSWD' or command restrictions is essential. In real-world scenarios, a scanner may fail silently due to 'PermitRootLogin prohibit-password' or a missing 'Defaults:scanner !requiretty' directive.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Credentialed scans require valid authentication to target systems.
SSH hardening often modifies authentication methods and user permissions.
Sudo restrictions can prevent scanner accounts from executing necessary commands.
Reviewing logs on the target system can help diagnose authentication failures.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Credentialed scans require valid authentication to target systems.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CS0-003 question in full detail.
Review credentialed scans require valid authentication to target systems., then practise related CS0-003 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Vulnerability Management — This question tests Vulnerability Management — Credentialed scans require valid authentication to target systems..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Review scanner account permissions, allowed authentication methods, and sudo command restrictions — After SSH hardening, the credentialed scan fails because the scanner's authentication methods (e.g., password, public key) or sudo commands may be restricted. Option B is correct because reviewing scanner account permissions, allowed authentication methods, and sudo command restrictions directly addresses the root cause—ensuring the scanner can authenticate and execute privileged commands without bypassing security controls.
What should I do if I get this CS0-003 question wrong?
Review credentialed scans require valid authentication to target systems., then practise related CS0-003 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Credentialed scans require valid authentication to target systems.
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Question Discussion
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